Wedding FAQs
Q. Will we have a dedicated Wedding Specialist to look after us on the day?
A. We always ensure that you have a dedicated wedding specialist to look after you, throughout your detail planning, and throughout your wedding day.
Q. Are we both able to get ready on-site?
A. We are lucky enough to be able to offer you both your own private space to get ready on the morning of your wedding, our Gatehouse and The Pembroke. These are available to you from 8.00 am and 9.30 am respectively. We can also deliver breakfast, brunch, Champagne and beer coolers to you, whilst you and your wedding party get excited for the day ahead.
Q. What time can our Wedding Suppliers arrive?
A. Your hair and beauty professionals, and your photographer, are welcome to join you and your bridal party in the Gatehouse from 8am and The Pembroke from 9:30am. Your décor related suppliers may have access to the venue from 10am.
Q. Is the Lantern Hall the only licensed Civil Ceremony room in the Castle?
A. Actually, we are also licensed for Civil Ceremonies in the Library, Winchester Suite and Great Hall. Each offer their own personality and are suited to varying guest list numbers. Our most popular room is the Lantern Hall – being closest to the Fox’s Steps for your confetti shot. Please rest assured we only host one wedding per day, so the flexibility is in your hands.
Q. Can I hold an Outdoor Wedding at Farnham Castle?
A. Our Outdoor Wedding Ceremonies are stunning, and take place on our East Lawn, Great Lawn and at the bottom of our Fox’s Steps overlooking Farnham. All our outdoor settings offer unique backdrops for your wedding photography, and we provide a wrought iron arch for your florist to decorate, as a focal point for your ceremony.
Q. Do you really have a Church of England Chapel for Religious Ceremonies?
A. Yes, we are literally one of the very few venues in the UK that actually has a choice of two private Chapels; the larger being the Norman Chapel; and the more intimate, the Bishop’s Chapel.
Q. Do we need Wedding Insurance?
A. We would always recommend that you take out your own Wedding Insurance.
Q. Can our guests throw confetti at Farnham Castle?
A. Being showered with confetti, as you’re announced as a married couple, is one of the most magical moments of the day. We advise that your guests throw light coloured, biodegradable confetti, outside only.
Q. Are fireworks, outdoor sparklers and smoke flares permitted?
A. If you are considering fireworks in the grounds of the Castle, please speak to our Wedding Specialists. Additional fees apply. We permit outdoor sparklers and smoke flares, and indoor sparkulars and haze machines.
Q. Can I have pets, birds, alpacas or horses at my Wedding?
A. We have had all sorts of animals, big and small, attending Wedding celebrations at Farnham Castle. Our Wedding Specialists will advise you on how they can be a part of your big day.
Q. How does Bar and table service work at Farnham Castle?
A. Our Tindle Bar will be open for your guests’ arrival and can be opened as an additional evening bar for larger wedding parties. This is also our Residents Bar for overnight guests. Our Gallery Bar Team will be on hand throughout your entire day and right up to your last dance. Table and Bar service will be from our Gallery Bar during dining and throughout your evening celebrations.
Q. Are drinks included in your menus?
A. Depending on which Dining Menu you choose, we include 2-3 reception drinks, a half bottle of wine and a glass of fizz for your toast, per person. We also serve complimentary still and sparkling water during dining.
Q. Can we order additional bottles of wine?
A. Yes, you can order additional wines to be served throughout your day. Our Bar Manager will also be on hand for the entirety of your wedding to arrange any immediate, additional requirements.
Q. Is it possible to upgrade our wines or fizz from the dining menu that we choose?
A. Absolutely! We’d love to discuss upgrading any elements across our menus.
Q. Can we supply our own wine?
A. We do not operate a corkage policy. However, our Bar Manager works closely with our Wine Specialist to ensure that we offer extensive wine lists that work perfectly with our Dining Menus.
Q. Do I have to have a traditional top table and how will the Great Hall be set up for dining?
A. Your wedding reception is personal to you. Traditional top tables are popular, but we often find couples prefer to sit with a small number of their wedding party on a central round table, or on a sweetheart table creating a more intimate setting.
For your guests, oval and round tables work really well, and depending on numbers, banqueting style offers the most social atmosphere.
Q. Can we design our own menu?
A. Yes, our team would be delighted to work with you in order to create a bespoke menu. Supplemental charges may apply.
Q. Can you cater for our guests who are vegetarian, vegan and those who have food allergies?
A. We have our own separate Vegetarian and Vegan Menus, and our Chef would be delighted to adapt any of our Menus to accommodate any of your guests with food allergies or dietary requirements.
Q. Do you have a menu designed for children?
A. We have a delicious and healthy selection of children’s food for you to pre-select for your younger guests. We suggest that if a child is under two years old, you arrange for their parents to provide their meal. Our Children’s Menu is suitable for children between the ages of two and ten. Guests aged eleven years, or older, will be served your adult menu, at the adult price.
Q. Should we provide our suppliers with a meal?
A. We recommend that you provide your suppliers with a meal if they will be spending more than 5 hours at your wedding. We provide either a 1 or 2-course meal from your chosen wedding menu, and it is a good idea to let your suppliers know what to expect.
Q. What makes your Evening Food so special?
A. We provide the most incredible, interactive Evening Menus, served by our team of Chefs, mostly outside under our Festoon Lighting. Whether you choose our Wood-Fired Pizza Oven, Fire-pit Barbeque, Street Food stations, or something else, your guests will be blown away by the setting and the experience.
Q. Do you provide a cake stand and knife?
A. We would be delighted to provide you with a traditional round or square cake stand and knife.
Q. What type of music and entertainment are we able to have at Farnham Castle?
A. Celebrations aren’t’ complete without music and you are able to have your choice of streamed and live music to create the atmosphere you want for your wedding ceremony, drinks reception, dining and party.
Q. Does Farnham Castle have a Green Room for our band or entertainment?
A. A number of our rooms work well as a Green Room. Let us know who to expect and we’ll make sure a room is ready for them.
Q. When do the celebrations come to an end?
A. We offer you the choice to decide when your celebrations come to an end. Our standard finish is 12.00 pm midnight, however our late bar extends your celebrations to 01.00 am. An additional cost is charged for a late bar.
Q. Are we able to have a drone fly over Farnham Castle?
A. Drone footage can look spectacular, and you are more than welcome to hire a supplier with this equipment. Your supplier will be required to have Civil Aviation Authority permission, and valid insurance.
Q. Are we able to have wedding photographs taken on the Castle Keep?
A. Yes, absolutely. Some of the most incredible wedding photography taken on your day will be on the Keep.
Q. Are all of your guest bedrooms located on-site?
A. All of our 33 en-suite guest bedrooms are located within the Castle and grounds. Join your overnight guests for breakfast, in our Library, the following morning.
Q. Is there plenty of parking available for our guests?
A. There is plenty of car parking available at Farnham Castle for you and all of your guests. All cars parked overnight must be collected by 10.30 am the following day.
Q. Do you have landing permission should we wish to arrive or depart by Helicopter?
A. We do. Landing by helicopter is one of the most spectacular ways to make an entrance at your wedding. Let us know if this is something you plan to do.
Q. Who do I contact to book the actual ceremony?
Civil Ceremonies As your Civil Ceremony date will depend upon the availability of the Superintendent Registrar and Registrars, it is essential to make an advance booking. The Venue hire price includes your choice of ceremony room, but Ceremony Fees are payable to the Registrar direct.
The Superintendent Registrar:
Artington House,
42 Portsmouth Road,
Guildford,
Surrey
GU2 4DZ
T: 01483 518255
Chapel Weddings Farnham Castle has two private Chapels for religious ceremonies. Either Chapel is exclusively available for Church of England Weddings for eligible couples who are holding their reception at Farnham Castle. It is essential to contact St. Andrew’s, Farnham, Church office.
An additional Farnham Castle Fee applies for the use of one of our Chapels for your ceremony, which includes a St. Andrew’s led, on site Preparation Day, and your Wedding Rehearsal. Church of England Wedding Ceremony fees are payable to St. Andrew’s, Farnham, direct. For details, please speak to our Wedding Specialists.
St Andrew’s Church:
Emma Dear – St Andrew’s Church Office
T: 01252 715412
e: office@standrewsfarnham.org
*Please note – under current legislation, ceremonies conducted by a celebrant or a religious representative who is not a registrar or vicar and/or is conducted in an unlicensed location are not legally recognised in England. You will be required to have a civil or religious ceremony to make your marriage legally binding.